Pest-proof bag

ABSTRACT

A pest-proof bag that includes a front wall and a rear wall, wherein the front wall is sealably coupled to the rear wall at edges to form an enclosure. A traversing elongated slot in the front wall just below a periphery of the front wall can be provided for gaining access into the enclosure. A fastener can be sealably coupled along a periphery of the elongated slot and configured to sealably close the elongated slot. The fastener can be a laminated zipper that prevents penetration of pests.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 63/188,656, filed on May 14, 2021, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bag, and more particularly, thepresent invention relates to a bag that prevents ingress of pests.

BACKGROUND

Pest infestation is one of the major problems that people are facing forages. Despite taking all the hygienic measures, the pest can enter homesand personal space through hitchhiking process that occurs in sharedspaces. According to several pest experts, hitchhiking is one of themajor ways for pest infestation. People carry bags to shared spaces,such as gyms, schools, airports, offices, where the pest can find theirway into bags and from there to homes and other private spaces.Hitchhiking has been estimated to happen over a thousand times a day onaverage in all the shared spaces generally visited by people. Mostpeople may not be aware of how the pest entered their homes and have topay huge amounts for pesticide treatments. Small pests such as Rochesand bedbugs find their way into bags through holes in the zipper orpockets and hitchhike to personal spaces, such as homes, cars, and thelike.

Thus, a desire is there for a bag that can prevent aforesaid hitchhikingof pests and the pests making their way to personal spaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodimentsof the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding ofsuch embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of allcontemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key orcritical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any orall embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one ormore embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a pest-proof bagthat prevents ingress of pests, insects, and infestations.

It is another object of the present invention that the pest-proof bagprotects wearable and personal property from hitchhiking bugs.

It is still another object of the present invention that the pest-proofbag is easy to maintain.

It is yet another object of the present invention that the pest-proofbag can be economical to manufacture.

It is a further object of the present invention that the pest-proof bagcan be quickly and easily sanitized.

It is still a further object of the present invention that thepest-proof bag is waterproof and dustproof.

It is yet a further object of the present invention that the bag can bemanufactured in a range of sizes and designs.

It is an additional object of the present invention that the bag canhave an aesthetic appearance.

In one aspect, disclosed is a pest-proof bag that includes a front walland a rear wall, wherein the front wall is sealably coupled to the rearwall at edges forming an enclosure. A traversing elongated slot can beprovided in the front wall just below a periphery of the front wall forgaining access into the enclosure. A fastener can be sealably coupledalong a periphery of the elongated slot and configured to sealably closethe elongated slot.

In one implementation of the pest-proof bag, the fastener can be alaminated zipper. The laminated zipper can prevent penetration of thepests. Also, in one case, the inner and outer surfaces of the enclosurecan be laminated. In one case, the front wall and the rear wall of theenclosure can be stitched and sealed at the edges. The front wall can besealably coupled to the rear wall to form a continuous seam, wherein thecontinuous seam is configured to prevent penetration of pests. In onecase, the pest-proof bag may not have any pocket on the outer surface ofthe enclosure and the outer surface of the enclosure can be plain.

In one implementation of the pest-proof bag, the pest-proof bag can alsoinclude a flexible handle coupled to the rear wall and adjacent to theelongated slot. An elongated strap can also be provided coupled to thefront wall. The elongated strap can have a proximal end and a distalend, wherein the proximal end of the elongated strap can be coupled tothe front wall just below the elongated slot, the elongated strap has anouter surface and an inner surface, a tip portion of the inner surfaceof the elongated strap at the distal end has a layer of a first memberof mating members of a hook and loop fastener, the outer surface of theelongated strap has a layer of a second member of mating members of thehook and loop fastener, wherein the strap is configured to wrap aroundrolled pest-proof bag and the first member coupled to the second member.

These and other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein and thesummary will become readily apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part ofthe specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention.Together with the description, the figures further explain theprinciples of the present invention and to enable a person skilled inthe relevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pest-proof bag, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the pest-proof bag as in FIG. 1 rolled and secured by hookand loop fastener, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, andwhich show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments.Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different formsand, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to beconstrued as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forthherein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative.Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matteris intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may beembodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in alimiting sense.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments ofthe present invention” does not require that all embodiments of theinvention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments ofthe invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the”are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that theterms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, whenused herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following detailed description includes the best currentlycontemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of theinvention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but ismade merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles ofthe invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined bythe allowed claims of any resulting patent.

Referring to FIG. 1 which shows an exemplary embodiment of thepest-proof bag 100 that can be used to carry personal belongings toshared spaces, such as gyms, airports, schools, offices, and like. Thepest-proof bag 100 can include a front wall 110 and a rear wall(opposite the front wall, not shown), wherein the front wall 110 and therear wall can be sealably coupled at the edges to form an enclosure 120.The pest-proof bag 100 can be closed at all sides and a seam between thefront wall and the rear wall can be sealed as water, air, dust, and pestcannot enter the bag through the seam. In one case, the front wall 110and the rear wall can be stitched at the edges, and then the seam can belaminated using polymeric material. The lamination can provide a sealagainst the pests, such as the pest cannot penetrate the seam. Thepest-proof bag 100 can be made of cloth, or any other material that isknown to a skilled person for making the bags, and any such material iswithin the scope of the present invention. The inside and outside of theenclosure 120 can be laminated to form a smoother surface that isresistant to the pest. Besides being smooth, the outer surface of theenclosure can be plain with no pockets or crevices that prevent theclinging of dust and pests. Moreover, lamination can make the pest-proofbag waterproof and dustproof.

The disclosed pest-proof bag can be easily sanitized by spraying adisinfectant on the outer surface of the pest-proof bag and optionallywiping it out.

A traversing elongated slot can be provided on the front wall 110 of theenclosure just below a periphery of the pest-proof bag. The elongatedslot can provide access into an interior of the enclosure 120 for bothplacing articles inside the bag and removing the articles from the bag.The elongated slot can be closed by a fastener, such as a zipper or ahook and loop fastener. Both zipper and the hook and loop fastenershould be sealable to prevent penetration of pests into the bag from theelongated slot. For example, the zippers can be laminated to plug theholes, such as not even the smallest known pest can penetrate thepest-proof bag. FIG. 1 shows a laminated zipper 130 coupled around aperiphery of the elongated slot for closing the elongated slot. Thezipper 130 can be unzipped for gaining access into the interior of theenclosure 120.

The pest-proof bag 100 can also be provided with a handle for handingthe bag, such as to carry the bag in hand. FIG. 1 shows a handle 140coupled to a periphery of the enclosure 120. FIG. 1 shows the handle 140coupled to the rear wall of the enclosure opposite to the laminatedzipper 130. The handle 140 can be flexible and of a dimension thatallows the handle to be comfortably grasped.

FIG. 1 also shows an elongated strap 150 that extends from the frontwall 110 of the enclosure 120. The elongated strap 150 can have aproximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the elongated strap150 can be coupled to the front wall 110 of the enclosure 120. Thedistal end of the elongated strap 150 can be free. The elongated strap150 can have an inner surface and an outer surface. FIG. 1 shows theinner surface 160 of the elongated strap 150 and FIG. 2 shows the outersurface 170 of the elongated strap 150. The elongated strap 150 can havethe two mating members of a hook and loop fastener. FIG. 1 shows a firstmember of the mating members of the hook and loop fastener coupled as alayer on a tip 180 of the inner surface 160 of the elongated strap 150.The tip 180 is adjacent to the distal end of the elongated strap 150.The second member of the mating members of the hook and loop fastenercan be provided as a continuous layer on the outer surface 170 of theelongated strap 150. The first member of the hook and loop fastener canbe coupled to the second member at different positions. The elongatedstrap 150 can be used to secure the rolled pest-proof bag 100. FIG. 2shows the pest-proof bag 100 as rolled. The pest-proof bag 100 can berolled empty or with articles such as wearable to further compact thesize or volume for easier handling. When rolled, the elongated strap 150can be wrapped around the rolled pest-proof bag 100 can the first membercan be coupled to the second member for securing the pest-proof bag 100in the rolled state.

The disclosed pest-proof bag can be manufactured in a range of sizes andshapes. Moreover, designs can be printed on either or both the frontwall and the rear wall for enhancing the aesthetic appearance of thepest-proof bag. Besides the printed designs, the pest-proof bag can bemanufactured in a range of colors or color combinations. In one case,the front wall, the rear wall, threads, and the zipper can be of thesame color.

The disclosed pest-proof bag can be used to carry a range of articles,such as wearables to public and shared spaces. A user can carrywearables to the gym in the disclosed pest-proof bag which can be easilysanitized and prevents pest infestation by hitchhiking. To clean thepest-proof bag from both dirt and microbes, the pest-proof bag can bequickly wiped using a soap solution.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pest-proof bag comprises: a front wall and arear wall, wherein the front wall is sealably coupled to the rear wallat edges forming an enclosure; a traversing elongated slot in the frontwall just below a periphery of the front wall for gaining access intothe enclosure; and a fastener sealably coupled along a periphery of theelongated slot and configured to sealably close the elongated slot. 2.The pest-proof bag according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is alaminated zipper.
 3. The pest-proof bag according to claim 1, wherein aninner and an outer surface of the enclosure are laminated.
 4. Thepest-proof bag according to claim 1, wherein the front wall and the rearwall are stitched and sealed at the edges.
 5. The pest-proof bagaccording to claim 3, wherein the pest-proof bag does not have anypocket on the outer surface of the enclosure.
 6. The pest-proof bagaccording to claim 1, wherein the front wall is sealably coupled to therear wall to form a continuous seam, wherein the continuous seam isconfigured to prevent penetration of pests.
 7. The pest-proof bagaccording to claim 2, wherein the laminated zipper prevents penetrationof pests.
 8. The pest-proof bag according to claim 3, wherein the outersurface of the enclosure is plain.
 9. The pest-proof bag according toclaim 1, wherein the pest-proof bag further comprises a flexible handlecoupled to the rear wall and adjacent to the elongated slot.
 10. Thepest-proof bag according to claim 1, wherein the pest-proof bag furthercomprises an elongated strap that has a proximal end and a distal end,the proximal end of the elongated strap is coupled to the front walljust below the elongated slot, the elongated strap has an outer surfaceand an inner surface, a tip portion of the inner surface of theelongated strap at the distal end has a layer of a first member ofmating members of a hook and loop fastener, the outer surface of theelongated strap has a layer of a second member of the mating members ofthe hook and loop fastener, wherein the elongated strap is configured towrap around rolled pest-proof bag and the first member of the matingmembers coupled to the second member of the mating members.
 11. Apest-proof bag consisting essentially of: a front wall and a rear wall,wherein the front wall is sealably coupled to the rear wall at edgesforming an enclosure; a traversing elongated slot in the front wall justbelow a periphery of the front wall for gaining access into theenclosure; a laminated zipper sealably coupled along a periphery of theelongated slot and configured to sealably close the elongated slot; aflexible handle coupled to the rear wall and adjacent to the elongatedslot; and an elongated strap that has a proximal end and a distal end,the proximal end of the elongated strap is coupled to the front walljust below the elongated slot, the elongated strap has an outer surfaceand an inner surface, a tip portion of the inner surface of theelongated strap at the distal end has a layer of a first member ofmating members of a hook and loop fastener, the outer surface of theelongated strap has a layer of a second member of the mating members ofthe hook and loop fastener, wherein the elongated strap configured towrap around rolled pest-proof bag and the first member of the matingmembers coupled to the second member of the mating member, wherein aninner and an outer surface of the enclosure are laminated and plain.